Torque tube stabilizer



July 31, 1934. E SPLINTER 1,968,229

TORQUE TUBE STABILIZER Filed March '15, 193 4 Elma/whom BLS ZMZW Patented July 31, 1934 FFICE ATENT TORQUE TUBE STABILIZER Ervi n L. Splinter, Hazel Green, Wis. 7 Application March 15, 1934, Serial No. 715,785

4 Claims. (o .1so s This invention relates to stabilizers and more particularly to a stabilizing means for the torque tubes of motor vehicles.

vAn object of this invention is to provide a 5 means for taking up the Wear caused'by' the sliding of the torque tube sections so as to prevent rattling of the sections and to eliminate slapping or lashing of the drive shaft disposed within the torque tube.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stabilizing means of this kind-which is so constructed that it can be easily and quickly mounted on the torque tube structure without in any way interfering with the present construction of the tube or any of the other parts of the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a stabilizing means of this kind, means for centering one torque tube section relative to another so that not only will the drive shaft be prevented from lashing, but the Wear of the universal joint will be taken up so that the shaft and universal joint will operate in the same manner as when in their original condition.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing Wherein:

Figure 1 is a detail plan view of a device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, mounted on a torque tube which is shown in fragmentary form.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the device with the torque tube in elevation.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter T designates generally a torque tube of conventional construction provided at the front endthereof with a bell-shaped housing to which is secured a tubular section 11 having an annular rib 13 45 at the rear end thereof. A second torque tube section 12 has its front or inner end disposed within the tube section 11, and each of these tube sections 11 and 12 loosely engage about a drive shaft S. The bell portion 10 of the torque tube T is adapted to loosely engage about the universal joint and is connected to a bell member 14 which is carried by a tubular member 15 secured to the transmission 16.

After a vehicle has been in operation for a period of time, the rear torque tube section 12 frequently becomes loose Within the front tube section 11' so as 'to cause rattling, and in like manner, the shaft S is adapted to lash within the torque tube T by reason of the looseness of the torque tube sections one relative to the other.

In order, therefore, to eliminate the necessity of replacing the torque tube T and at the same time to prevent the lashing or slapping of the shaft S therein, 1 have provided a stabilizing means comprising pairs of longitudinally extending bars 17, which are disposed on the outside of the torque tube. Each pair of these bars 17 has secured to the front end thereof a clamping plate 18' of arcuate construction which engages about the torque tube section 11 and has outstanding ears 19. The cars 19 ofone plate 18 are secured to the opposite or other plate by means of securing members 20 in the form of bolts or the like. Shims or compressible members 21 are interposed between the adjacent ears 19 so that the bars 1'? can be slidably secured at their front ends to the torque tube section 11. Each pair of bars 17 has secured to their rear ends a rear curved plate 22 which terminates at each end in outstanding cars 23 and securing members in the form of bolts 24 secure the two clamping members 22 in tight position about the rear torque tube section 12.

Each bar 1'7 has a threaded centering member 25 disposed therein at a point intermediate the ends thereof and in a position for engagement with the rear tube section 12. In the present instance, there are four of these bars 17 and four centering members 25 so that the rear torque tube section 12 can be centered and clamped in its centered position by means of the centering members 25 and the clamping members 22. In practice, the bars 17 are spaced from the periphery of-the front or larger tube section 11 a distance sufficient to clear the rib 13 formed on the rear end of the tube member 11.

In the use of the stabilizing means hereinbefore described, when the torque tube section 12 becomes loosened within the tube section 11 resulting in the lashing or slapping of the shaft S, the clamping members 18 may be secured to the front tube section 11, in a manner to permit sliding movement of the stabilizer on the tube 11 and the rear clamping members 22 can be fixedly secured together about the rear torque tube section 12. Preferably the centering members 25- are adjusted after the clamping members 18 are tightened on the tube 11, and when the tube 12 is centered and held in the desired position, the,

clamping members 22 can be tightened thereabout so that the tube 12 will be firmly held in its centered position by the clamping members 22. By providing a sliding connection through the use of the slidable clamping members 18, the torque tube sections may readily move relative to each other and the wear and tear on the uni versal joint and drive shaft will be taken up so that these members will be restored totheir original condition. i

It will be obvious from the foregoing that a torque tube which has its sections loose may be repaired so that the tube sections will be tight: one relative to the other and that the lashing or slapping of the shaft therein will be eliminated and that this condition will be eliminated without the necessity of removing the torque tube or any other component parts thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A stabilizing means for torque tubes, comprising a pair of front clamping members adapted to engage about the periphery of a front section of a torque tube, a pair of rear clamping members engaging about the periphery of a rear torque tube section telescoping into the front torque tube section, connecting means connecting the front clamping members with the rear clamping members, and centering means carried by the connecting means to center the rear torque tube section relative to the front torque tube section.

2. A stabilizing means for torque tubes, comprising a pair of front clamping members adapted to engage about the front section of a torque tube, a pair of rear clamping members adapted to engage about the periphery of a telescoping rear torque tube section, pairs of connecting bars connecting the front clamping members with the rear clamping members, there being one pair of bars connecting a front clamping member with a rear clamping member, and centering members threadably carried by each bar to center the rear torque tube section relative to the front torque tube section. I r

3. A stabilizing means for torque tubes, comprising a front clamping member adapted to engage about the front section of a torque tube, rear clamping means adapted to engage about a. rear torque tube section telescoping into the front torque tube section, connecting means connecting the front and rear clamping means together, and threaded centering means between the front and rear clamping means for centering one of said torque tube sections relative to the other. r r i 4. A stabilizing means for torque tubes, comprising a front clamping means adapted to slidingly engage about the front section of a torque tube, a rear clamping means adapted to engage about a rear torque tube section telescoping into the front torque tube section, connecting means secured to the front and rear clamping means to hold the front and rear clamping means together, and centering means carried by said connecting means for centering the rear torque tube section relative to the front torque tube section. V

ERVIN L. SPLINTER. 

